Do I Need to Prime Oil Pump???

[nigelj77]

As I mentioned in a previous post my 98 450 is going into a mates garage to have the sump gasket changed and an oil and filter at the same time.

I've read in the "bible" that it is sometimes necessary to prime the oil pump, is this something I need to worry about and is there anything that can be done to prevent the pump becoming filled with air?

Thanks in advance.

[gavgavgav]

priming is only needed for a 'pre-serp' engine. Is that what you have?

[nigelj77]

Ah ha, no mine is a serp so I take it I'm safe from zero oil pressure, thanks for the response :-)

[phazed]

Just whizz it over on the starter with the fuel injector relay pulled for a few seconds to get the oil primed.

Don't forget to fill the oil filter when you replace it.

Oil pressure comes up in a couple of seconds.

[Steve_D]

Just to put this to bed for any pre-serp owners.

Drain the oil but don't remove the oil filter.
Change the sump gasket.
Fill up with oil.
Remove the oil filter and replace with the new one already filled with oil.
Start the engine.

The need to prime the pump only comes from leaving the filter off for a longish period which allows the oil to drain out of the pump.

Steve